Trojans must call on backup QBs

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — An avid golfer, Tanner Jones won’t be thinking much about golf during Troy’s time of rest this weekend.

That’s because the redshirt sophomore could be thrust into the role of starting quarterback with the season-ending knee injury to Jamie Hampton.

Hampton injured his knee in Tuesday’s 30-17 win at Florida Atlantic. Jones, who battled Hampton and Levi Brown for the starting job, played the rest of the way.

A close friend of Hampton’s, Jones also refused to believe the worst.

“Me and Levi just have to do what we’ve been doing, and that’s work hard,” Jones said. “But I’ve got to believe Jamie will be back. He’s going to get better.”

Troy head coach Larry Blakeney and offensive coordinator Neal Brown said the team would look at all its options — Jones, Levi Brown, true freshman Dan Parker, who is supposed to redshirt, and even Jerrel Jernigan, who played quarterback in high school and has taken snaps in running situations.

But the job will likely come down to Jones or Brown. Parker is mobile, but hasn’t even traveled.

“Both of them are great kids and great leadership guys,” Blakeney said. “Neither one of them are as mobile as Jamie, but both of them can throw a little bit.”

Troy practiced Wednesday and a decision on who will start the Oct. 18 game against Florida International likely won’t come until next week. Players are scheduled to take the rest of the week off. This week is Troy’s fall break.

Jones threw just three times against FAU, hitting one for 11 yards. He’s been in the system for three years and was a backup last year. Brown transferred from Richmond and sat out last year as a redshirt. Both have played this year and both have now thrown for 64 yards each.

Jones was elevated to No. 2 status for the FAU game after he performed better than Brown in a recent JV game against Georgia Military, but Neal Brown said it was a “feel deal” for which one goes in the game.

“Tanner’s got that swagger,” left tackle Chris Jamison said. “He goes out there and just has fun. I think he’s ready to come out and make an impact.”

But with Hampton out — coaches are hoping he’ll be ready by next season — the practice reps for both will improve drastically.

“We got one or two (first-team reps) on a good day,” Jones said. “But we take mental reps on every snap. We’re behind Jamie, taking our drops and making the reads.”